Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 09:04 PM.

Although the Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting tax returns eight days later than usual, local tax preparers still urge filers to proceed as normal.

The IRS’ typical Jan. 22 opening was pushed back to Jan. 30 due to fiscal cliff negotiations and last-minute changes in tax code, according to the owner of Kinston’s Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Cindie Johnson.

“The main thing is not to wait,” she advised. “We’ve noticed a lot of people this year are procrastinating and they’re waiting because the IRS doesn’t open until the 30th. We’re able to send returns in now.”

Hewitt representatives said people who’ve used do-it-yourself software in the past years should consider using a tax professional since they have the most currently updated tax laws.

“If you ever try to do it yourself and get stuck (with) a question, there’s no place to ask,” Johnson said. “We have all the answers.”

When considering where to get taxes prepared, filers should research preparers to ensure professionalism, which includes determining whether a tax professional is knowledgeable.

Robert Cameron has been going to the local Hewitt branch for 10 years.

Although the Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting tax returns eight days later than usual, local tax preparers still urge filers to proceed as normal.

The IRS’ typical Jan. 22 opening was pushed back to Jan. 30 due to fiscal cliff negotiations and last-minute changes in tax code, according to the owner of Kinston’s Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Cindie Johnson.

“The main thing is not to wait,” she advised. “We’ve noticed a lot of people this year are procrastinating and they’re waiting because the IRS doesn’t open until the 30th. We’re able to send returns in now.”

Hewitt representatives said people who’ve used do-it-yourself software in the past years should consider using a tax professional since they have the most currently updated tax laws.

“If you ever try to do it yourself and get stuck (with) a question, there’s no place to ask,” Johnson said. “We have all the answers.”

When considering where to get taxes prepared, filers should research preparers to ensure professionalism, which includes determining whether a tax professional is knowledgeable.

Robert Cameron has been going to the local Hewitt branch for 10 years.

“(They have) good service,” he said as he sat down to discuss his return on Wednesday with a preparer. “I just give them my information, and they go from there.”

Clients’ information typically remains in the system when they file at commercial tax agencies to ensure all updated laws are applied to their returns.

“There hasn’t been a significant change with any major tax laws for the standard filer,” Johnson said. “If Congress didn’t come to terms, there was going to be a lot of changes.”

Upon finding a reliable tax return service, the place you visit this time each year likely won’t change — even throughout generations.

Having all pertinent income information is the most important part of the filing process, Johnson said, to make sure filers get every legal deduction allowed.

“You want to have someone with the integrity and tax knowledge to prepare your taxes because you’re giving them confidential information,” she said. “You don’t want just anyone to do your tax return because you are ultimately responsible for whatever is on that tax return.”

Officials with Liberty Tax Service and the certified public accountant offices of Cauley Vernon, Jeff Hall and Barrow, Parris and Davenport were contacted for this report but declined or were unavailable for comment.

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.

BREAKOUT BOX:

Five Tax Tips

n Engage now: The sooner you find a tax preparer who best meets your needs, the sooner you can ultimately get your refund

n Check preparer’s background: Make sure you go with someone who is qualified and credible, so check your tax preparer’s history

n Make sure your preparer is knowledgeable: Make sure your preparer understands how tax law changes may affect you

n Review before signing: You are responsible for what is reported on your tax return. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return

n Use e-file: The majority of taxpayers file electronically, which is safer than a paper return and offers faster processing time